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Sunday, February 10, 2008

Too tired to compile all the questions for a sound out. I know, I know, but try to relax. It'll be ok. Deep breaths. I'll do a Monday Sound Out instead.

So Joe and I went out with friends today. We went to Flanagan's Wake. Has anyone ever seen this? It's along the same lines as Tony & Tina's Wedding. If you haven't heard of either show, they're sort of interactive plays with audience participation. Thanks to my many years of practice in high school, I was able to avoid eye contact, look the other way, and slide down in my seat without being too obvious that I was trying to hide from the actors walking around, looking for victims volunteers. Joe, and our friends Jen & Chris, didn't fare so well as all three were called upon to give answers or hop up on stage. Hee hee hee!

After this we drove around looking for a place to eat. Chris stopped at a restaurant, rolled down his window, and said to the valet, "Hi! We're looking for a place to eat. Do you know of any restaurants around here?" As the words started coming out of his mouth, he realized what he was asking, but it was too late to stop it. I'm sure the valet thought we were all daft.

So I ordered some chicken dish and it tasted like crap. Not that I've ever tasted crap, of course, but it wasn't very good. I really didn't care for it. Everyone talked me into sending it back to the kitchen. I've never done this before. I apologized over and over to the waitress and told her that I was sure it was fine, but I just didn't like it and could I please get something else? She was very nice about it. I'm pretty sure the cook was offended and spit in my new dish, however. Then a manager came out and demanded to know what was wrong with my chicken and why exactly did I send it back, and what was wrong with me. OK, so maybe it wasn't that bad, but I felt so embarrassed. Next time, I'll just eat the funky tasting chicken.

When we got home, the kids greeted us by running around the room like loonies and yelling like crazy people. My bil & sil, who had been babysitting, insisted, "They weren't like this all night. Really, they were totally good." See? They save it up for me. They can always manage to behave for others, but when I'm around, a switch flips and they go nuts.

My sil is pregnant and due in May. She looks like she's six weeks pregnant and she feels great. What's up with that? Anyway, she and my bil are HUGE Nascar fans. I think they're going to name their baby Daytona. Or Dale. Or Bristol, or Talladega, or Darlington. I may just have to do a contest about this when it gets a little closer to May.

It's like 200 degrees below 0 here and we're supposed to be getting yet more snow this week. How fun

63 comments:

You should have been in Texas this weekend - we had sunny skies and temps in the mid to upper 70's! Of course, my allergies immediately recognized the spring weather and started their itchy, sneezy business. But the weather sure has been gorgeous! Hope it stays that way for your visit! Whereabouts in Texas will you be?

Yea for Texas! It was in the mid 70s here this weekend, which isn't super warm, but the sun was out all day Saturday and warmed the lake water up so we were able to get out on it and go wakeboarding. :) I'll send warm thoughts your way though!

I am always afraid to send food back, it really has to be awful for me to do it, then I worry about the spitting or worse when they bring out the replacement. I feel your pain on that and the cold I'm in Minnesota we got a major cold snap this weekend "Booger freezing cold". I moved here from Southern California for this abuse lol.

This has absolutely nothing to do with today's blog but I just knew you and the rest you the moms that read your blog would get a kick out of it!!

WHY GOD MADE MOMSAnswers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.2. Mostly to clean the house.3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom? 1. We're related.2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him? 1. His last name.2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.2. She got too old to do anything else with him.3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.? (I love this one!)

Who's the boss at your house?1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed. 3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads? 1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work. 2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?1. Mothers don't do spare time.2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?1. On the inside, she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.2. Dye it. You know, her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

How lovely that you got to have some time out with your husband & friends. Lucky you! even if you did have to hide from the actors and be embarassed at the restaurant - at least you got to do it all without children in tow! I get the same story from my babysitters when I come home to a house full of lunatics - "They were fine until you got here!" My mum tells me this every time she looks after my children, so much so that I feel like I am a bad influence.

Hi Dawn, OMG on your husbands window breaking due to the cold. Now I am scared to drive my car today Monday, as I don't want that to happen to mine! BTW it's only (sarcasm) -2 this early Monday morning! Mid MI here, so I am getting the same weather, if you can call this "weather" at all. My poor dogs could only last 1-2 minutes outside yesterday before their paws froze, and they would hold them up with that "ow ow" look. They kept wanting to go outside all day in that -19, they seemed to keep forgetting how cold it was, until the 2 minutes were up. Needless to say this AM, they are much wiser about it, and did their "duties" very fast. Stay warm and inside!!!

PS. I forgot to mention KUDO'S to you for sending crap food back! And shame on that manager!! I was in the restaurant business for over 25 years, and you should complain, albeit ever so nicely, and the manager should have comped (free), your meal. Don't go back there!!

Dawn~ first off how is mimi doing? secondly ~ if we would all listen to God the way we should our world wouldn't be in the trouble it's in! I for one have a horrid time listening...I like to make all the decsions but as God as shown me before that doesn't work! thanks for your blog....I love it!

Just wanted to say that I can totally relate to poor Joe and his car. We live in beautiful Minnesota and are having an equal number of bitterly cold snap. Last month, on an evening of minus 12 degrees, the back glass on my Explorer shattered into a million pieces when my DH lifted it up. The family had to drive home (1/2 hour drive) with no back window in minus 12. That was the coldest I have ever been. $935 later, it is fixed (luckily our insurance covered glass repair with no deductible!).

Oh, Dawn, Texas is just wonderful this time of year!! On our coldest day this week, I think our high in Central Texas will be 55. I don't know that we're going to freeze at all. And, with it being this cold, all those critters you love (like scorpions, hehe!) are scared and in hiding. Even the fire ants have been absent lately.

What part of Texas will you be in? If you're near Austin, I'll buy you some Starbucks and good bar-b-que!

Hi Dawn,Don't let the chickens get you down;) As a longtime waitress, I can tell you that a good server will diffuse the situation before there is a confrontation. Since you did order the item and it was prepared correctly (whether or not you like the taste) it is technically your $. However, smart people want the customer to be satisfied. As long as you didn't eat 3/4 of your meal it shouldn't be a big deal. Non-corporate restaurants are usually more accomodating since they don't have 75 page manuals for each situation. (I'm sure at least one of the thirty restaurants you worked in was corporate)Basically, size up your waitress, if she's young or ditzy you may just want to fill up on the bread and salad or ask your server to clear the problem with a manager first. I think any customer who comes out in February in this cold deserves a break. Things have been slow this year.

Man, it was 70 degrees and sunny here in northern California yesterday. We spent 3 hours lounging around in the grass playing with neighbors. My kids were wearing short sleeves and no shoes and even I got to dust off my flip flops! We will be moving soon, most likely leaving California, and I'm hoping it's not to a snowy place!

Having worked in a restaurant, I doubt they spit in your food but I am sure the cook thought about it =). Can I put my vote in for Jack or Henry or Scott or Josh or anything that won't haunt that child forever? What if the kid hates NASCAR?

Don't you just love it when your children's behavor changes the minute you walk into the room? My parents would babysit for us when our four girls were younger. They were "as good as gold" till I walked in, then they would start picking on each other. Our youngest is now almost 14. I love to remember those days, but don't think I could relive them. We are currently yak farming, my husband's idea. 20 years ago I didn't imagine that in our future!http://bosgrunniens.blogspot.com/

I'm not sure where in Texas you're going, but just so you know a "cold front" is supposed to be coming through so it's going to have highs of only 60 (though sunny) by Wednesday here in Houston. Do you think you can handle that kind of weather?? ;)

I've only sent things back a few times, and once the waiter tried to intimidate me about it. But hey, aren't restaurants part of the SERVICE industry?!Sorry about Joe's window. Hope he can get that fixed pronto. Not exactly roll-the-windows-down kind of weather. First time I've ever even heard of a "Wind Chill Advisory". We have one in effect throughout the morning here in Michigan.

I know we're not Texas, but Georgia has some lovely weather going on right now - mid sixties, bright sunshine and a light breeze (ducking thrown snow boot). Sometime in April I expect we'll have a blizzard to make up for it.

Meanwhile, come on down - I have a spare room for the grownups and plenty of floor space for the kids...and we have an owl to stare out the window at for entertainment!

Speaking as a former waitress (world's worst Denny's waitress and proud of it!), please don't feel concern over sending back a dish you don't like. You are paying for a meal and service, and both should live up to the restaurant's standards. You shouldn't ever have to explain why you don't care for it, but if a manager asks it's likely so they can make certain no other patron has the same experience. Unless you send a steak back fifteen times because it has to be an exact shade of cerise before you'll consume it, the cook/chef won't spit in it, either. Sometimes there's an ingredient, an herb or spice, that tastes funny to you but not to others. I'm that way with cilantro, and have had to return or reorder food because it's not mentioned on the menu but it's all over the dish. Tastes like dish soap to me, and while I'd rather burn my hair than send something back, I won't endure it any more. After all, why pay for a meal you can't eat?

If you are coming anywhere near Dalls Dawn you are welcome to stay with us:)) or near us or whatever!!Its supposed to rain tonight, but be nice the rest of the week. Mid 60s, low 70s all week I think they said this morning. I've sent food back before, because it just wasn't good! Don't worry about it, if you are paying for it, then send it back and get what you want.I've never been to an interactive play, but I have kind of wanted to go to one of those mystery murder weekend getaways, where someone in the audience is murdered and everyone is a suspect. I think that would be fun. My husband would be in his glory, he prides himself on being able to figure out murderers in books and movies.

It's 10:45 here in northern Minnesota, and the temp just got UP to zero, for the first time in a couple days. I went outside to fill my bird feeders yesterday and froze my fingers. Man, does that hurt! I would leave this place for the world, though. If anything, I'd like to travel north, just to see that part of the world. I love it here! We get down to minus 30 plus a wind chill, making it feel like minus 50 or lower. I remember as a kid, staying home from school until noon, waiting for the temp to get up to minus 40, since we walked to school. Now, when the temp gets to zero, the schools don't send the kids outside. We used to just play harder out there to stay warm! Summer will be here soon enough. I'm okay with waiting for it.

How nice that you were able to get out without the kids! Would you believe it's been 2 years since my husband & I have gone out without them? UGH! Wonder why that is? LOL (I have a hunch mine are lunatics even when I'm not home. hahaha)Good for you sending the food back. I'm always afraid to do that too. ps Pretty sure it was spit in too.;)OH! Sounds a bit chilly there. It's a "warm" 30 below here today. Sorry about the window. Brrrrrrrrrr!

I can't believe the manager came out like that about you sending back your food. I don't send things back too often, but there is no reason to pay for something that you just don't enjoy and won't eat. He should've offered some other ideas of entrees you'd like and even comp your meal, not harass you because they have a crappy chicken meal.You should let us know the restaurant name so that we don't go there...or at least so we don't order that chicken meal. ;)Also, I know we're not at warm as TX, but I'm sure 30 degree weather that we're getting in DC will seem like the beach compared to those subzero temps you've got right now!Stay warm!

Sorry to hear your night out was negatively impacted by that IDIOT manager!

Please COPY and PASTE the following and send it to the Offending Restaurant:____________

Dear Manager...

Just a note from one of the almost 2.5 million visitors that daily read Dawn Meehan's blog.

Dawn, a petite and unassuming person, is the woman that you totally humiliated when it became necessary for her to send back a less-than-desireable chicken dinner this past Sunday evening (as described at http://mom2my6pack.blogspot.com/2008/02/too-tired-for-sunday.html#comments).

Unfortunately, she left her readers wondering which establishment's manager had treated her so disrespectfully.

Had we been so enlightened, let me assure you that a multitude of past and future customers would be avoiding your restaurant like the plaque!

You owe Dawn a debt of gratitude. You see, my friend, you just never know who you are serving and what influence they may have on your business.

If you've ever seen the movie "Waiting", you know what I'm talkin' about and will never, ever be rude to a server who handles your food again. It was a disgusting and crude movie, but sadly, I believe some of it to be true.

You don't have to go as far as TX to get some warm weather...here in Memphis on Saturday it was almost 70 and sunny. My nose got burnt! We just laid outside on the concrete, didn't bother getting out the lounge chairs, and it was soooo nice. Now that football is over, let the warm weather begin!!

Hope you have a great trip, don't worry, you a lot of us are moms also, and we don't mind if you don't get a lot posted EVERY SINGLE day, because we understand at least a portion of your life. :)

Dawn, never worry about sending food back!! I have been a waitress for the past 10 years. 6 of them with the same restaurant!! We are taught to IMMEDIATELY remove a dish that someone dislikes and take it to a Manager and give the details. Like re-cook, remake or even a whole new meal. If you notice, when dining out, your waiter should reappear within 2 minutes or 2 bites to check and make sure everything is to your liking. (It may take longer at very busy place) At that time I make any accomodations for the guest. I hate that the Manager of the restaurant offended you and made you feel like crap. He may have been having a bad day. However, it is standard for a Manager to come by the table to make sure everything is right. Our Managers always deliver any dish sent back to the kitchen, to assure it is prepared correctly. Depending on WHY the dish was sent back, comping a meal is a touchy subject. There are LOTS of people who abuse this and get stuff for free, just cuz. Like they filled up on the appetizers and then dont want the meal. Rather than have the waiter take it off the order before it gets delivered, they simply try a bite or 2 then complain and have it comped. I think if you totally feel like you were treated unpleasantly, you should go to the website of the restaurant, and drop them a line. Maybe the Managers name?? The address of the place and the date/time you were there. The head office should know the manager was less than nice about the chicken not tasting good.

PS I am in Texas too, Houston area... so, if ya want a GREAT Cajun Meal and will be near Houston, lemme know! I'll make sure your chicken is D-LISH and great service too!!:0) Trevor

ok I have now stopped laughing enough to comment the mental picture of someone with frozen snot hanging from their nose ( memories of the movie "Dumb and Dumber") I cant believe your hubbies window smashed from the cold thats incredible. You must think to your self though, thank god you dont live where the tornados are? It was on the news here the other day and at least even if it is 200 degrees below zero you still have a house to go to!

Hi Dawn, My mini-van's back side window was missing the latch that holds it shut. The cold and wind got into it and threw it all over the driveway. My husband rigged a big sheet of white board ( the kind you use for bath tub walls) with duct tape and proceeds to ask me if I want anything written on it? Hum...alot of things come to mind, like..Pimp my ride! My husband did this to my van! For sale as is? Got window? Kristine in Michigan.

I know you already have 100 offers for where to come in Texas, but just know the beach is less than half an hour from me! And I only have one child, although you are welcome to bring yours and put them in a tent in the back yard (not much room inside). You and your hubby (if you choose to bring him) can stay on the couch, it's a fold out or in a hotel around the corner, just promise you would return for the kids! I am south of Houston near NASA and on the way to Galveston, sorry you missed Mardi Gras already, but their is still plenty of excitement.

Congragulate yourself for being brave enough to send food back. If no one complained pretty soon they would be out of business and not have a clue why. You did them an a huge favor and should be proud of yourself. AND THEY SHOULD HAVE THANKED YOU AND GIVEN YOU A FREE DESSERT! Chocolate cake, for sure, which I wrote about last night. If I could I'd send you the last piece.

As for the kids going crazy when you got home. Congratulations. They are normal. And they love you.

OMG! Saturday night my hubby and I went to the Awesome '80s Prom! It is like Tony and Tina's Wedding! You actually get dressed up ala 1989 and "go to prom" - they have dance contests and there are little subplots and dramas that play out during the night. We saw it at Webster Hall in NYC and after prom the doors open to the public and it becomes an 80s nightclub.

Sorry about your chicken! (And I agree with others - kudos for sending it back! Don't they know who you are?? They will soon!) We had really good chinese at Yummy House and wished we could have taken our leftovers home :(.

Hi Dawn, Another Texan! I always get my posts late - luckily I stay up late. Anyway - don't you love how we chat with you like you are our best friend from school. Right now this very minute in East Texas (btw - it is 11:42PM Monday night) it is 63F! I LOVE TEXAS. Of course in a few months it will be 102 at 11:42pm - and that will stink!I had never heard of car windows breaking from cold. I know they do from heat. Be sure to let us know where you will be in Texas - you could have "Sweet Tea" and all of your best friends could come hang out with you during your down time.

I have to say, your post about your bil & sil has panicked me. My daughter is named Daytona (she's 5) and I panic at the thought that another kid out there might have her name! On the flip side, there is a family her in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada (a city of 135,000) who named their first daughter Talledega and their son Bristol. I'm sure there are other children in the world named Daytona and I'm just being a wuss about it. Make sure to update us as soon as they pick a name.

About the "nascar" names. When I was preggers with our first son, we didnt know his gender and if her was a girl, my husband wanted to name her Savannah Darlington. needless to say, he was a boy and we named him Nathan Douglas instead.